Architecture in Ancient India

Architecture in Ancient India includes three main styles of temples; Nagara, which was prevalent in the north, Vesara, a mix of Nagara and Dravida, and Dravida, which developed in the southern portion of the country.

Architecture and Town Planning of the Indus Valley Civilization

The Harappan culture displayed a distinctive town planning system characterized by a grid layout, where streets and lanes intersected at nearly right angles, creating a city divided into multiple rectangular blocks.

Housing Layout: Indus Valley cities often featured two distinct sections – the citadel and the lower town. The citadel, believed to be a fortified settlement, housed key structures like the great bath and warehouse. In contrast, the lower town comprised residential houses and workshops. The presence of only six citadels suggests that they were exclusive to priests or higher social classes.

Street Network: Streets and roads in the Indus Valley followed a straight pattern, intersecting at right angles and constructed using burnt bricks.

Drainage System: The sophisticated drainage system of the Indus Valley civilization connected every house to street drains, covered by stone slabs or bricks. Many houses with various room configurations exhibited excellent drainage setups across multiple sites.

Burial Practices: Harappan burial sites commonly featured individuals laid to rest in pits. Some graves contained pottery and ornaments, reflecting a belief in their utility in the afterlife. During the mid-1980s excavations at the Harappa cemetery, researchers discovered gender-inclusive jewelry, including an ornament with three shell rings, a jasper bead, and numerous microbeads near the skull of a male.

Buddhist Architecture

Buddhist Architecture are as follows:

Stupas:
- Central to Buddhist architecture, stupas are dome-shaped structures that enshrine relics or represent significant events in Buddha’s life. Sanchi Stupa is a notable example.
Viharas:
- Viharas are monastic dwellings or retreats for Buddhist monks. They often include meditation halls, living quarters, and communal spaces for religious activities.
Chaityas:
- Chaityas are Buddhist prayer halls or shrines. They typically feature a stupa at the center and serve as places for collective worship and meditation.
Pagodas:
- Common in East Asian Buddhist architecture, pagodas are multi-tiered towers with a spire at the top. They house sacred relics and symbolize spiritual ascent.
Rock-Cut Caves:
- Many Buddhist sites, especially in India, feature rock-cut caves with intricate carvings of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and narratives from Buddhist scriptures.
Zen Gardens:
- In Zen Buddhism, gardens are designed as contemplative spaces, often with carefully arranged rocks, gravel, and vegetation, reflecting the principles of simplicity and harmony.
Borobudur:
- Borobudur in Indonesia is a massive Buddhist temple complex, recognized for its unique structure and detailed relief sculptures. It represents the journey from ignorance to enlightenment.
Tibetan Monasteries:
- Tibetan Buddhist architecture is characterized by colorful monasteries adorned with intricate murals, prayer flags, and symbols like the mandala.

It spans diverse cultures and regions, reflecting the rich spiritual and artistic expressions of the Buddhist tradition.

Jainism architecture

Jainism Architecture are as follows:

Temples: Jain temples are dedicated to the Tirthankaras, revered spiritual teachers in Jainism. They often feature intricate marble carvings, domes, and ornate pillars.
Derasars: Derasars, or Jain prayer halls, are places for congregational worship. They include spaces for meditation, prayer, and the veneration of sacred texts.
Manastambhas: Manastambhas are free-standing pillars often found at the entrance of Jain temples. They symbolize victory over the passions and worldly attachments.
Gopurams: Jain temples, especially in South India, may have ornate entrance towers known as gopurams. These towers are adorned with sculptures and depict Jain cosmology.
Chandraprabha Temple: Located on the Parasnath Hill in Jharkhand, India, the Chandraprabha Temple is known for its unique blend of Jain and Hindu architectural elements.
Ranakpur Temple: The Ranakpur Jain Temple in Rajasthan, India, is renowned for its intricate marble carvings, domes, and 1,444 uniquely carved pillars.
Shikharbaddha Temples: Jain temples with shikharbaddha architecture have spires adorned with elaborate carvings, reflecting the grandeur of Jain religious structures.
Jain Mathas: Jain monastic establishments, known as mathas, are centers for spiritual and educational activities. They may include prayer halls, libraries, and living quarters for ascetics.

Jain architecture emphasizes intricacy and precision, reflecting the Jain principles of non-violence, truth, and asceticism. Temples and sacred sites play a central role in Jain religious practices.

Mauryan Art and Architecture

Mauryan Art and Architecture are as follows:

Pillars of Ashoka: The hallmark of Mauryan architecture, Ashoka erected a series of polished sandstone pillars with inscriptions throughout the empire.
Sanchi Stupa: Located in present-day Madhya Pradesh, the Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India.
Barabar Caves: Carved out of solid rock in the Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills, these caves are among the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India.
Pataliputra: The capital of the Mauryan Empire, modern-day Patna, showcased significant architectural development during this period.
Minor Rock Edicts: Apart from the famous pillars, Ashoka left inscriptions on rocks and caves, known as Minor Rock Edicts.
Heliodorus Pillar: Although not directly associated with Ashoka, the Heliodorus Pillar in Vidisha is a significant artifact from the Mauryan era.
Gandhara Art: While more associated with the subsequent Kushan Empire, the Mauryan period laid the groundwork for the Gandhara school of art.
These pillars, often topped with animal capitals like lions, represented Ashoka’s commitment to Buddhism and dharma.
Commissioned by Ashoka, it served as a hemispherical mound containing relics and marked an important Buddhist pilgrimage site.
The caves served as retreats for ascetics, highlighting the influence of Jainism during the Mauryan period.
The city featured royal palaces, assembly halls, and a well-organized layout, reflecting the empire’s administrative prowess.
These inscriptions conveyed Ashoka’s commitment to ethical governance and the propagation of dharma.
The pillar, erected by Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador, reflects cultural and religious exchanges during this period.
This art style, characterized by a fusion of Hellenistic and Indian elements, flourished in the northwestern regions of the empire.

Post Mauryan Architecture

Gandhara Art: Gandhara Art emerged in the post-Mauryan era, influenced by Greco-Roman artistic styles through interactions with Hellenistic culture via trade and conquest. It features realistic depictions of Buddha and deities, showcasing Greek-inspired drapery and features.

Mathura Art: Mathura, a prominent art center, focused on indigenous portrayals of Indian deities, particularly Buddha. The sculptures from Mathura exhibited soft, graceful features, emphasizing spirituality and emotional depth.

Amravati Art: Amravati Art, associated with the Satavahana period, is exemplified by the intricate relief sculptures at the Amravati stupa in present-day Andhra Pradesh. These sculptures vividly narrate scenes from the Buddha’s life and Jataka tales, showcasing elaborate detailing and a captivating storytelling quality.

Gupta Architecture

Gupta architecture, flourishing during the Gupta Empire (4th to 6th centuries AD), is known for its structural and artistic achievements. Key characteristics include:

Temples: Gupta architecture produced some of the earliest Hindu temples. Artisans typically crafted these temples from brick, incorporating intricate carvings and sculptures.
Cave Architecture: Gupta rulers sponsored the creation of rock-cut caves, such as the Udayagiri and Ajanta Caves. These caves served as monastic retreats adorned with sculptures and murals depicting religious themes.
Influence on Temple Design: Gupta temples influenced later temple architecture in India. Elements like the shikhara (tower) and mandapa (pillared hall) became integral to temple design.
Sculptural Artistry: Gupta period is renowned for its exceptional sculptural artistry. Sculptures often depicted deities, celestial beings, and scenes from Hindu mythology. The portrayal of human figures became more naturalistic and expressive during this era.
Mathura and Sarnath Schools: The Mathura and Sarnath schools of art, associated with Gupta architecture, played a crucial role in shaping the artistic traditions of northern India. The Buddha image from Sarnath became an iconic representation.

Overall, Gupta architecture marked a significant phase in the evolution of Indian temple and cave architecture, contributing to the rich cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent.

Conclusion

Ancient architecture in India reflects a blend of indigenous styles and diverse cultural influences. Key influences include: Indigenous Traditions: Local building techniques, materials, and design principles shaped architecture, seen in structures like Harappan cities. Vedic Period: Early Vedic structures were simple, evolving into more sophisticated designs during the later Vedic period, reflecting ritualistic and spiritual practices. Mauryan and Gupta Empires: Mauryan architecture, such as the Ashoka pillars, showcased monumental stone structures. Gupta architecture contributed to the development of Hindu temple styles. Buddhist Architecture: Stupas and monasteries influenced by Buddhist principles, seen in places like Sanchi and Ajanta.